(I'm really bent on improving this poem without changing its context altogether.  Took a few of your suggestions.  Racked my brain to reword "garbage can," thank you JM.     I had PDV remove the old thread, here's my revised copy.  Hope you enjoy.)

Uphold thy gaze, that thou might'st see
  There is a man, in tatters, laced
  And furthermore, so gallantly
  He carrieth a bin of waste
  Tis foul of all incenses, spoil'd
  His hands are thick and overtoil'd

And if thou look'st, thou shalt recieve
  But questions offer'd in reply
  Thou thinkest well, but shan't concieve
  It is not worth to try
  Tis hard to tell, I cannot place
  what marks those marks upon his face

His walk is with a lilt of pride
  though limp'd and lame, his narrow knees
  do scamper in a haughty ride
  And ne'er shall fail to please
  Perhaps it is a fault of me
  to ne'er be pleas'd with leprocy

But see him deeper, I implore
  Thou may'st admire his revelry
  Those sockets sunk with pleasure more
  That thou regardest he
  And know thee well, what parted tongue
  is from that maw of sequins hung
  
Allow thee not thy questions many
  Wrap their fingers 'cross thine eyes
  For this, this chance to never any
  Tis a worthy prize
  Present thyself  into his mind
  That he might off  er back, in kind

But shame, o shame on you and I
  For, held he not a bin of waste,
  He'd shake thy hand, and know thy words
  and hold thee for a taste
  Tis shameful, he who looketh down
  Shall ne'er behold his earthly crown
  
Perhaps it is a wisdom lost
  That rickets, now, away from we
  Perhaps we ne'er shall know what cost
  Our sacrifice might see
  That we, whose feet are sure and ready
  Know our steps to be more steady

Away thine eyes, thou sapless wight
  Relinquish thee, what colours stand
  For, were it not a blur of sight
  Thou would'st have shook his hand
  Instead of trail his broken stance
  With thy most spoil'd and simple glance.

[This message has been edited by Local Parasite (11-28-2002 02:23 AM).]

Morning mist clings to my face, and my soul opens up to you......